ATA confirms trucking is a dominant freight mover

American Trucking Associations released the latest edition of American Trucking Trends, the annual almanac of trucking and freight transportation, which confirms the industry’s role as the primary mover of freight in the United States.

"This report shows once again what a critical role trucking plays in the U.S. economy," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Trucking continues to move the most, and most valuable, freight in the United States despite the challenges of congestion, regulations and crumbling infrastructure.

"It is fitting this report is being released at the start of Infrastructure Week," Graves added. "Our industry’s growth in the face of continued road and bridge deterioration has been amazing, but it is time for our elected leaders to do their part to insure that the highways we use to move America’s goods safely and efficiently are in good condition."

Among the findings in American Trucking Trends:

In 2013, trucks moved 69.1% of all domestic freight tonnage, up from 68.5% the previous year.

The industry also collected 81.2% of all freight revenue, up from 80.7% in 2012.

Trucks move the majority of all NAFTA trade, hauling 55.4% of all trade with Canada and 65.4% of all trade with Mexico.

Trucking employed more than 7 million people in 2013.

The industry paid $37.8 billion in state and federal highway user fees.

"Trends is an annual almanac, a snapshot, of what the trucking industry, and really what the freight economy, looks like," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. "These numbers tell us what is happening in trucking and that’s important for industry leaders, suppliers and policymakers."